news.com.au
Date: July 24, 2015
IT WOULD almost be laughable if the consequences weren’t so potentially dangerous.
Itu Aba Island, also known as Taiping Island, is one of many disputed islands in the South China Sea. The island is administered and occupied by Taiwan’s government. Picture: DigitalGlobe via Getty Images Source: Getty Images
The conflict in the South China Sea continues to intensify as each country moves to assert their dominance.
But some nations have more power than others.
In the case of Taiwan, it lacks the financial resources, military might and diplomatic influence to risk a direct confrontation with China, so the government has taken an unusual approach to make sure it stays in the game.
It is just one of six nations vying for a piece of the Spratly archipelago, a group of islands and reefs off the coast of Malaysia and the Philippines.
China has been building artificial islands in the area to try and extend its dominance, as well as testing hypersonic glide vehicles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. [FULL STORY]
